Abortion argument loud and late

1,000 sign up to address committee.

By David Saleh Rauf :
July 2, 2013
: Updated: July 3, 2013 12:26am

Mark Clinto holds his sign in the rotunda as demonstrators voice their opinion as the Capitol building fills before the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo By San Antonio Express-News

Thousands are drawn to the Stand Up With Texas Women Rally at State Capitol before the start of the second special session, Monday, July 1, 2013. The anti-abortion legislation rally drew thousands of supporters.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

DPS troopers hang out in the hallways as supporters of both sides of the issue fill the Capitol building in Austin as a special committee hears testimony on Senate Bill 2 on July 1, 2013.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

Kristen Adams (left) and Dara Silverman with their turn to speak in front of the special committee as supporters of both sides of the issue fill the Capitol building in Austin as a special committee hears testimony on Senate Bill 2 on July 1, 2013.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

Jessica Davis (left) kneels to pray with her rosary as Julie Ann Nitsch (right) and Pamela Whitehead argue as supporters of both sides of the issue fill the Capitol building in Austin as a special committee hears testimony on Senate Bill 2 on July 1, 2013.

Photo By TOM REEL

Julie Ann Nitsch (right) and Pamela Whitehead argue as supporters of both sides of the issue fill the Capitol building in Austin as a special committee hears testimony on Senate Bill 2 on July 1, 2013.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

Protestors shread fabric to make headbands as supporters of both sides of the issue fill the Capitol building in Austin as a special committee hears testimony on Senate Bill 2 on July 1, 2013.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

Caitlin Austin screams with her fellow protestors in an effort to overcome speakers in opposition as supporters of both sides of the issue fill the Capitol building in Austin as a special committee hears testimony on Senate Bill 2 on July 1, 2013.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

Representative Jose Menendez D-San Antonio questions Representative Jodie Laubenberg R-Parker as supporters of both sides of the issue fill the Capitol building in Austin as a special committee hears testimony on Senate Bill 2 on July 1, 2013.

Photo By TOM REEL

Representative Helen Giddings D-DeSoto questions Representative Jodie Laubenberg as supporters of both sides of the issue fill the Capitol building in Austin as a special committee hears testimony on Senate Bill 2 on July 1, 2013.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

The first public speaker < Ellen Cooper , appears before the panel as supporters of both sides of the issue fill the Capitol building in Austin as a special committee hears testimony on Senate Bill 2 on July 1, 2013.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

Signs were allowed as supporters of both sides of the issue fill the Capitol building in Austin as a special committee hears testimony on Senate Bill 2 on July 1, 2013.

Photo By TOM REEL/San Antonio Express-News

Yatzel Sabat carries a sign through the opposition as supporters of both sides of the issue fill the Capitol building in Austin as a special committee hears testimony on Senate Bill 2 on July 1, 2013.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

Protestors watch speakers as supporters of both sides of the issue fill the Capitol building in Austin as a special committee hears testimony on Senate Bill 2 on July 1, 2013.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

DPS officers wait in the hallways as supporters of both sides of the issue fill the Capitol building in Austin as a special committee hears testimony on Senate Bill 2 on July 1, 2013.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

Committee chairman Byron Cook R- Corsicana starts the proceedings as supporters of both sides of the issue fill the Capitol building in Austin as a special committee hears testimony on Senate Bill 2 on July 1, 2013.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

Ashley Granger speaks to a crowd in favor of abortion legislation as supporters of both sides of the issue fill the building in Austin as a special committee hears testimony on Senate Bill 2 on July 1, 2013.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

Ashley Granger speaks to a crowd in favor of abortion legislation as supporters of both sides of the issue fill the building in Austin as a special committee hears testimony on Senate Bill 2 on July 1, 2013.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

Yatzel Sabat carries a sign through the opposition as supporters of both sides of the issue fill the Capitol building in Austin as a special committee hears testimony on Senate Bill 2 on July 1, 2013.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

DPS officers watch as supporters of both sides of the issue fill the Capitol building in Austin as a special committee hears testimony on Senate Bill 2 on July 1, 2013.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

Those in favor of the legislation hold a speaking rally as supporters of both sides of the issue fill the Capitol building in Austin as a special committee hears testimony on Senate Bill 2 on July 1, 2013.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

DPS officers remain on the sidelines as supporters of both sides of the issue fill the Capitol building in Austin as a special committee hears testimony on Senate Bill 2 on July 1, 2013.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

Daniel Wallach pulls his shirt over his eyes as he chants with a group trying to overcome speakers for the opposing side as supporters of both sides of the issue fill the Capitol building in Austin as a special committee hears testimony on Senate Bill 2 on July 1, 2013.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

A DPS officers gives directions as supporters of both sides of the issue fill the Capitol building in Austin as a special committee hears testimony on Senate Bill 2 on July 1, 2013.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

Jennifer Martinez, from San Antonio, fights tears as she speaks about an abortion she experienced as supporters of both sides of the issue fill the Capitol building in Austin as a special committee hears testimony on Senate Bill 2 on July 1, 2013.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

DPS officers wait on the side as supporters of both sides of the issue fill the Capitol building in Austin as a special committee hears testimony on Senate Bill 2 on July 1, 2013.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

DPS officers watch the crowd as supporters of both sides of the issue fill the Capitol building in Austin as a special committee hears testimony on Senate Bill 2 on July 1, 2013.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

Protestors move to a different location in the building as supporters of both sides of the issue fill the Capitol building in Austin as a special committee hears testimony on Senate Bill 2 on July 1, 2013.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

Caitlin Austin screams with her fellow protestors in an effort to overcome speakers in opposition as supporters of both sides of the issue fill the Capitol building in Austin as a special committee hears testimony on Senate Bill 2 on July 1, 2013.

Photo By San Antonio Express-News

Protestors against and for the Texas legislation abortion bill gather at the State Capitol for the start of the second special session, Monday, July 1, 2013.

Photo By San Antonio Express-News

Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, right, and Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio wave to the crowd during the Stand Up For Texas Women Rally at State Capitol, Monday, July 1, 2013. The anti-abortion legislation rally drew thousands of supporters at the start of the second legislative special session.

Photo By San Antonio Express-News

Senator Wendy Davis, third from left, smiles as she is introduced as the main speaker at the Stand With Texas Women Rally at State Capitol before the start of the second special session, Monday, July 1, 2013. The anti-abortion legislation rally drew thousands of supporters.

Photo By Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News

Anti Texas legislation abortion bill protestors, in orange, and those for the bill in blue, gather at the State Capitol for the start of the second special session, Monday, July 1, 2013.

Photo By Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News

Senator Donna Campbell, center, addresses supporters of the Texas legislation abortion bill at the State Capitol for the start of the second special session, Monday, July 1, 2013.

Photo By Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News

Under a portrait of the late Governor Ann Richards, anti Texas legislation abortion bill protestors gather at the State Capitol for the start of the second special session, Monday, July 1, 2013.

Photo By Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News

Senator Wendy Davis is the main speaker during the Stand Up With Texas Women Rally at State Capitol before the start of the second special session, Monday, July 1, 2013. The anti-abortion legislation rally drew thousands of supporters.

Photo By Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News

Thousands are drawn to the Stand Up With Texas Women Rally at State Capitol before the start of the second special session, Monday, July 1, 2013. The anti-abortion legislation rally drew thousands of supporters.

Photo By Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News

A pair of Mizuno sneakers are place a top a flag at the Stand Up With Texas Women Rally at State Capitol before the start of the second special session, Monday, July 1, 2013. The anti-abortion legislation rally drew thousands of supporters. The sneakers were similar to the ones used by Senator Wendy Davis during her Texas Senate filibuster last Tuesday.

Photo By Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News

Thousands are drawn to the Stand Up With Texas Women Rally at State Capitol before the start of the second special session, Monday, July 1, 2013. The anti-abortion legislation rally drew thousands of supporters.

Photo By Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News

Actress Lisa Edelstein pumps up the crowd during the Stand Up For Texas Women Rally at the State Capitol, Monday, July 1, 2013. The Texas Legislature convened for a second special session to take up a controversial anti-abortion bill.

Photo By Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News

Senator Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, hugs Annabelle Garcia, sister of Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio in back, after the Texas Legislature adjourned on the first day of a second special session, Monday, July 1, 2013. Davis was expressing her condolences for the death of Daniel San Miguel, father of the sisters.

Photo By Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News

Thousands of supporters attend the Stand Up For Texas Women Rally at State Capitol before the start of the second legislative special session, Monday, July 1, 2013. The rally was in protest against a controversial anti-abortion bill.

Photo By Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News

Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and daughter the late Gov. Ann Richards, speaks at the Stand Up for Texas Women Rally at State Capitol, Monday, July 1, 2013. The anti-abortion legislation rally drew thousands of supporters.

Photo By Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News

Natalie Atwater, 21, of Austin, arrives early for the Stand Up For Texas Women Rally at the State Capitol, Monday, July 1, 2013. The anti-abortion rally drew thousands of protestors at the start of the second legislative special session.

Photo By Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News

Supporters of a controversial anti-abortion bill gather at the steps of the State Capitol and pray the Rosary before the start of the second legislative especial session, Monday, July 1, 2013.

Photo By Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News

Matt Benavides, with the Archdiocese of San Antonio, holds a crucifix while leading a group of an anti-abortion bill supporters at the State Capitol, Monday, July 1, 2013. It was the start of the second legislative special session.

Photo By Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News

Anti Texas legislation abortion bill protestors, in orange, and those for the bill in blue, gather at the State Capitol for the start of the second special session, Monday, July 1, 2013.

AUSTIN — Republicans and anti-abortion activists Tuesday tried to regain control of the contentious debate in the Legislature as a House panel heard passionate testimony late into the night on a sweeping package designed to limit the procedure.

Just one day after an estimated 6,000 pro-abortion-rights activists turned the Legislature into a sea of orange, supporters of the anti-abortion legislation sported blue gear and turned out by the hundreds to pack the lower level of the Capitol.

That's where the House State Affairs Committee met Tuesday and by 10 p.m. had signed up about 1,000 to testify on House Bill 2, the catch-all proposal that critics say would effectively shutter the majority of the state's abortion clinics. The proposal also would ban abortions after 20 weeks.

The committee planned to cut off testimony at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, easily leaving hundreds without the opportunity to speak. It was uncertain at press time whether Republicans would vote on the bill once the hearing wrapped up.

“What we're going to do right now is get through the testimony,” Rep. Byron Cook, who chairs the panel, said when asked about the timing of a vote.

The Republican-led panel was expected to pass the bill out of committee so long as a quorum was maintained come midnight.

If passed Tuesday or early Wednesday, it would tee up the proposal for debate in the House on July 9, which is when the lower chamber returns to work.

Republicans in the Legislature are looking to move swiftly with the measure in the second attempt at passage.

Gov. Rick Perry summoned lawmakers back to work after Republicans failed to pass an identical anti-abortion bill during the first special session. Passage this time around is likely, as Republicans have the votes and plenty of time.

During Tuesday's hearing, dozens of women shared personal stories with lawmakers about their experiences with abortion.

Amy Cornwell of San Antonio told the panel she felt like abortion was the only available route to pursue when she found out she was pregnant at 19 and dropped out of college. As a result, she planned on aborting her pregnancy until she had a change of heart.

“It would have been the easy thing to do to slide under the radar and have an abortion,” Cornwell, 26 and teary eyed, said in front of the committee. “I feel fortunate to live in a state that stands with life.”

On the other end of the debate was Carolyn Conner, a 63-year-old Austin resident who had an abortion 30 years ago and said she didn't regret it. Already a single mother at the time, Conner said the procedure was “the right thing for me.”

“I would have been stuck with a baby (and nobody but me was) going to take care of her,” she said.

Although substantially fewer activists hit the Capitol on Tuesday, security stayed fortified with a presence of Department of Public Safety troopers. No arrests were reported as of 10 p.m.

The theatrics also kept a steady pace. In a courtyard not far from where the House panel was debating, activists on both sides of the issue gathered to scream and chant for hours.

Anti-abortion activists squeezed into a cramped hallway hours before a 3:30 start time for the hearing. Only a small batch — less than 100 — actually made it inside for the start of the hearing and witnesses were constantly rotated in and out of the room throughout the night. The rest were funneled into overflow rooms, which filled within minutes of opening.

The crowd for the hearing waited hours, growing tired and tense early in the day. The Capitol hallway was hot, sweaty and stale.

“You're not running things. We are,” a DPS trooper snapped at a woman trying to nudge forward in line.

Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, pressed Laubenberg to accept changes to her bill to require the state to fund changes to clinics that conduct abortions so they can meet the higher standards set forth in her legislation.